The month of December for Sagamok Education was an extremely full and busy one of activities as everyone prepared for the coming Winter Solstice and Christmas season, as well as the much-needed holiday period, allowing Education members to break for two weeks to relax and rejuvenate themselves for the new term.
At Biidaaban, the December calendar was packed from start to finish with an entourage of events and activities! What a note to end the year on, and the abundant presence of school community love and support to start the new year and school term on. December kicked off with EcoSpirit Week at Biidaaban, which included: Wear Green/Grinch Day, How the Grinch Stole our Tech Day (Tech Free Day), No Trash for the Grinch Day (Waste Free Lunch Day),Ugly Christmas Sweater Day (Turn Down the Heat Day), and the Grinch Stole Your Cup Day (Anything but a plastic water bottle day).
The school hosted a fundraising venture called "Candy Cane Grams," led by the Student Leadership Council, from which all funds raised were donated to the Ethan Eshkakogan Memorial Toy Drive. Nogdawindamin Knowledge Keepers visited for the Grandfather Teaching of Truth mid-month, where presenters offered songs, drumming, stories, examples, smudging, history and culture, and reflective opportunity for students to consider what Truth means and how to live a good life incorporating this teaching into everyday living.
The Holiday Festive Concert was held on December 18th, with junior grades presenting in the morning and senior grades in the afternoon. It also included a special drumming ceremony to open and close the presentations by students and classroom teachers. Principal Becky Toulouse commented how wonderful it was to have the drums present again at special events at Biidaaban and for the first-ever Holiday Concert in the new Biidaaban! Students performed many wonderful songs and dances on the cafeteria 'stage' and were enjoyed by family and community members, both very young (2-month-old babes in arms), to the Elders of Sagamok, proud grandparents and parents of the performing students. Biidaaban members worked hard at practicing for and organizing the event, and what a fantastic community event enjoyed by all present! The school offered door prizes for festive arrangements and gift cards throughout both concerts and Leadership Council members told jokes between performances while the next sets were prepared. On the 20th, the last day before the break, students were treated toa visit by Santa throughout the school.
Every student received an appropriate wrapped present hand-delivered by Santa personally. Santa's helper, Rae-Lyn, ensured that the sleigh was loaded and no one was forgotten. Students waited respectfully until everyone in the classroom had received their gift before excitedly tearing into the wrapping. So much joy and happiness spread throughout Biidaaban through the generous and thoughtful actions brought forth by the staff, Sagamok Education, and the community. Chi Miigwech to everyone for their efforts towards ensuring the core values of education in Sagamok are met.
So many positive things are happening within Sagamok Education to help our community thrive and continue to evolve in a good way while being ever mindful of the ways of Anishinaabe and incorporating language, culture, history, and land-based learning experiences throughout. Chi Miigwech, everyone, for all that you bring to education and for your continued support and love of learning and developing the members of Sagamok. Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, and a prosperous Nimkodaading to all.
For more December activities and Christmas celebration articles and pictures, visit the Daycare and Life Long Learning Centre news stories or go to View All News button on the main page.
